Bring Caribbean Flavour to the Table with Maureen Simon Foods’ Easy End-of-Summer Recipes

Canadian family-owned food company Maureen Simon Foods shares easy Caribbean-inspired recipes for summer BBQs, weeknight dinners and gatherings

As summer winds down, Canadians still have time to enjoy outdoor meals and backyard gatherings. For home cooks, it is also a great opportunity to try new flavours. Maureen Simon Foods is bringing Caribbean-inspired recipes to the table with four easy dishes for the final weeks of summer.

The Canadian family-owned food company draws inspiration from founder Maureen Simon’s Caribbean roots and family recipes. Its range includes Caribbean-inspired sauces and convenient food products. Together, these products make it easier to add bold flavour to everyday meals.

From jerk chicken wings to coconut curry prawns, the recipes suit a variety of occasions. They work well for family dinners, summer BBQs and casual gatherings with friends

Looking for an easy way to add Caribbean flavour to your summer menu? Start with these four recipes from Maureen Simon Foods.

1. Coconut Curry Prawns

Seafood lovers can bring tropical flavour to the dinner table with Coconut Curry Prawns. The recipe combines succulent prawns with rich coconut curry flavours.

Ingredients

300 g prawns, peeled and deveined
150 ml (about 2/3 cup) Maureen’s Caribbean Curry Sauce
1/2 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 lime, juiced
1 cup cooked rice, to serve
Cilantro or scallion, to finish
1 tbsp oil, 1/4 tsp salt

Method

If you don’t have leftover rice, start it now so it’s ready with the prawns.
2 Heat oil over medium. Soften onion and garlic with a pinch of salt until fragrant.
3 Pour in the curry sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
4 Add prawns and simmer just until pink and curled, coated in sauce. Finish with lime. Do not overcook.
5 Spoon over rice and finish with cilantro or scallion.
Note: Prawns go from perfect to rubbery in about a minute, so don’t walk away. Add a splash of water for more sauce.

As a result, one jar can inspire several different meals. It is a practical option for busy home cooks who want more flavour without complicated preparation.

2. Cold Mixed Curry Vegetable Salad

Cold Mixed Curry Vegetable Salad by MSF Kitchen

For a lighter option, try the Cold Mixed Curry Vegetable Salad. This refreshing dish combines vegetables with curry-inspired flavours.

Ingredients

1 small head cauliflower, small florets
1 cup corn, cooked or canned
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)
1/2 cucumber, diced
1/4 red onion, finely diced
For Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) Maureen’s Caribbean Curry Sauce
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- Salt to taste, chopped cilantro

Method

Blanch cauliflower in salted boiling water 2 to 3 minutes until just tender. Drain and cool.
Whisk mayo, curry sauce, lime juice and salt into a dressing.
Combine cauliflower, corn, tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber and red onion in a large bowl.
Hold through the dressing and cilantro. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
Note: Swap mayo for plain yogurt for a lighter dressing.

Serve the salad chilled alongside grilled meats or other BBQ favourites. It can also add colour and variety to a summer picnic or family gathering.

Moreover, the recipe offers a simple way to bring Caribbean-inspired flavours into a vegetable dish. That makes it a useful addition to any summer menu.

3. Jerk Burger

The Jerk Burger gives a classic summer favourite a Caribbean twist. Jerk flavours add a savoury, spicy and aromatic element to the familiar burger.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) ground beef
1 small tomato, deseeded and diced
Small bunch cilantro (3 to 4 stems), diced
1 egg
2 tbsp Maureen’s Jerk Sauce, plus extra for glazing
1 tbsp sharp sweet BBQ sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 burger buns
Mayonnaise, to spread
Lettuce, tomato, red onion

Method

Gently mix the beef with the diced tomato, cilantro, egg, 2 tbsp jerk sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic powder and salt. Form 4 patties and press a thumbprint into each centre.
Sear on a hot grill or pan, 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing the tops with extra jerk sauce as they cook.
Toast the buns and spread with mayo.
Build: patty, lettuce, tomato, onion.
Note: Suggested toppings: grilled pineapple or a creamy slaw. If you use a creamy slaw, cut back the mayo so it isn’t too rich.

This recipe fits naturally into backyard BBQs and casual summer dinners. Simply fire up the grill and bring a bold new flavour to burger night.

Maureen’s Original Jerk Sauce also offers plenty of versatility. Home cooks can use it as a marinade, grilling sauce, dipping sauce or finishing sauce.

4. Jerk Chicken Wings

For summer gatherings, few dishes work better than chicken wings. Jerk Chicken Wings bring bold Caribbean flavour to a familiar crowd favourite.

Ingredients

1 kg chicken wings, split
120 ml (1/2 cup) Maureen’s Jerk Sauce, plus extra to finish
1 tbsp baking powder (aluminium-free)
1 tsp salt
Scallion, sliced, to finish
Celery sticks and a dip, to serve

Method

Pat the wings very dry. Toss with baking powder and salt. This is what makes them crispy without a deep fryer.
Oven: arrange on a rack over a tray and bake at 220 C (425 F) for 40 to 45 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and crisp. Air fryer: cook at 200 C (400 F) for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking halfway.
Toss the hot wings in the jerk sauce to coat, then drizzle a little extra over top.
Finish with scallion. Serve with celery and a dip.
Sauce variations (in the toss)
- Jerk Honey: add 1 tbsp honey when tossing the wings.
- Jerk Ranch: add ranch to the toss to coat the wings.
- Jerkiyaki: toss in a jerk and teriyaki blend.
Note: If you have time, marinate the wings in half the jerk sauce for a few hours first for flavour right through.

The Original Jerk Sauce combines Caribbean spices with balanced heat. It works particularly well with chicken, but home cooks can also pair it with beef, pork, seafood, tofu and vegetables.

Therefore, the sauce can move beyond wings and become a staple in the kitchen. It gives home cooks another easy way to experiment with Caribbean-inspired meals.

Easy Ways to Add Caribbean Flavour at Home

You do not need complicated ingredients to explore Caribbean food at home. Maureen Simon Foods offers sauces that can help transform everyday ingredients into flavourful meals.

The Caribbean Coconut Curry Sauce works well with seafood, vegetables, chicken, tofu and rice. Meanwhile, the Original Jerk Sauce can add a bold finish to grilled meats and vegetables.

Both sauces can also help home cooks save time. Instead of preparing a sauce from scratch, cooks can use these ready-to-use options to build flavour quickly.

As summer comes to an end, that convenience can make weeknight cooking easier. At the same time, the sauces can help turn simple ingredients into dishes that feel special enough for entertaining.

Where to Find Maureen Simon Foods

Maureen Simon Foods products are available through several Canadian retailers. Shoppers can find the brand at Walmart, Choices Market, Save-On-Foods and Whole Foods Market, depending on product and location.

The company offers several Caribbean-inspired products, including Caribbean Coconut Curry Sauce and Original Jerk Sauce. Its selection also includes Jerk Beef, Veggie Coconut Curry and Jerk Chicken Rollis.

You can also explore the products through these retailers:

Bring Caribbean Flavours to the End-of-Summer Table

As the season winds down, Canadians can still make the most of summer cooking. A backyard BBQ, family dinner or weekend gathering can become an opportunity to explore new flavours.

For example, serve Jerk Chicken Wings as an appetizer. Then, bring out Jerk Burgers for the main course. You can also pair the meal with Cold Mixed Curry Vegetable Salad for a refreshing side.

For seafood fans, Coconut Curry Prawns offer another option for an easy dinner. Together, these recipes show how simple ingredients and versatile sauces can bring Caribbean flavour into everyday cooking.

Maureen Simon Foods also offers additional recipes for home cooks who want to explore more Caribbean-inspired dishes.

Explore more recipes from Maureen Simon Foods

Connect with Maureen Simon Foods
Website: Maureen Simon Foods
Instagram: @maureensimonfoods
Facebook: Maureen Simon Foods